Busting Traditional Masculinity Stereotypes: "Softies" on RTL+
Upcoming RTL streaming series for men: "Softies" redefines masculinity
Cologne (dpa) - Back in 1984, Herbert Grönemeyer pondered, "When is a man a man?" Fast forward to today, and common gender roles have evolved significantly. In the comedy-drama "Softies," three twentysomething males grapple with their identities - love, societal pressures, and self-acceptance. Since its premiere on RTL+ on June 6th, "Softies" has been streaming, challenging the status quo of traditional masculinity.
The trio's pad serves as the central stage: Marvin, the athletic charmer played by Damian Hardung, who stars in "Maxton Hall"; Hassan, the self-doubting character portrayed by Samir Salim; and Joshi, Oskar Redfern's commitment-phobic character. On paper, they're successful with women craving them. Yet, one battles mental health issues, another feels uncomfortable in his skin, and the third cloaks his commitment fear in alcohol.
Embracing Feelings: Beyond Pills and Parties
Rather than confronting their emotions, they resort to non-traditional methods: Viagra pops, drug trips, casual flings, or pick-up lines from dating coaches. For a considerable amount of time, the series appears unsure of its direction, tantalizingly balancing between ironically challenging stereotypes and reinforcing them.
The five, 20-minute episodes scarcely delve into the complex subject of modern masculinity, and the characters' development is minimal. However, in the finale, the three males open up and allow a peek into their inner lives.
Emerging from Talent Competition
"Softies" took first place in RTL+'s 2021 talent competition "Storytellers." Students from select film schools formulated the concept for a contemporary series. The author-director duo Jonathan Westphal and Yves Guillaume, from the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, created "Softies" and won the competition, beating out over 80 submissions, chosen by a panel of experts[4].
Guillaume, in an interview with "Quotenmeter.de," expressed that the show's aim was to encourage young men to be courageous and vocal about their feelings. "We want to demonstrate that men can also be sensitive, offering an alternative to typical representations," he stated[3].
According to a 2023 survey by Plan International, a majority of 18-35-year-olds in Germany feel weak and vulnerable when they show their feelings. 59% acknowledged working out to obtain a fit, muscular physique to prove their manliness[5]. It seems as though "Softies" has indeed struck a chord with male Gen Z.
A Modern Take on Masculinity
"Softies" stands out in its portrayal and discussion of modern masculinity among young men for several reasons:
- Exploration of Modern Masculinity: The series explores what it means to be masculine in the contemporary context, encouraging conversations about departing from past patterns and embracing new forms of masculinity. This is emphasized by the show's focus on three men navigating these changes[2].
- Challenging Toxic Masculinity: "Softies" tackles toxic masculinity head-on, which is crucial for promoting healthier and more inclusive definitions of masculinity. By dissecting the impact of traditional masculine norms, the show aims to inspire a more nuanced understanding of gender roles[4].
- Humorous yet Honest Approach: The series employs humor to address serious issues, making it engaging and relatable for a younger audience. This approach helps foster dialogue about masculinity that is both entertaining and thought-provoking[1][3].
- Cultural Impact: By broadcasting on platforms like RTL+, "Softies" reaches a diverse audience, potentially swaying cultural perspectives on masculinity and encouraging young men to question traditional norms and stereotypes.
"Softies" provides a significant exploration of masculinity, urging viewers to question conventional gender roles and embrace an expanded and inclusive understanding of what it means to be masculine.
- The comedy-drama "Softies," which won RTL+'s 2021 talent competition "Storytellers," delves into the realm of fashion-and-beauty, showcasing the characters' struggle with understanding and accepting themselves.
- The series, which tackles traditional masculinity stereotypes, also engages with technology, as the characters resort to non-traditional methods such as Viagra pops and drug trips to cope with their emotions.
- In the digital age, "Softies" uses social-media platforms and entertainment channels like RTL+ to spread its message of lifestyle change and embracing feelings beyond mere pills and parties.
